Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced changes to aircraft operating procedures due to reduced visibility caused by poor air quality affecting parts of the country.

Maldives Airports Company Limited, which manages Velana International Airport, said additional precautionary measures are implemented whenever visibility is compromised by factors such as smoke or heavy rainfall. The company noted that such measures are part of standard safety protocols and are applied whenever conditions warrant them.

As part of the revised procedures, MACL said Visual Flight Rules (VFR) may be temporarily suspended and replaced with Special Visual Flight Rules (SVFR) in situations where visibility drops below five kilometres. The company explained that SVFR operations provide additional operational support to ensure flight safety under reduced visibility conditions.

MACL said the use of SVFR is carried out in line with regulations set by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The company reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both domestic and international flights, as well as maintaining service continuity for passengers during adverse weather and air quality conditions.

According to the Maldives Meteorological Service, Wednesday recorded some of the worst air quality conditions in recent days, with visibility dropping to as low as 1.5 kilometres in certain areas. The Met Office said visibility across the Maldives has generally been limited to around two kilometres, but is expected to improve by Sunday.

The Meteorological Service has advised travellers to exercise caution during peak hours when visibility is lowest. Meanwhile, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has urged individuals with underlying health conditions to wear masks when outdoors as a precaution against poor air quality.